A troop of baboons got taken by surprise when a pride of lions crossed a bridge they were sunbathing on. Soon, the baboons found themselves stuck under the bridge surrounded by lions.
Mike Botes, a guide at MalaMala Game Reserve, captured the moment on video and shared what happened with LatestSightings.com.
He described that he was out on a game drive following the Kambula pride of lions when they approached the West Street Bridge. The bridge is in the “heart of the MalaMala concession” and “gives guides and guests a safe way to cross the Sand River in the wet season.”
Botes says that the baboons like the bridge because of its high vantage point to view potential threats. The baboons enjoy hanging out on the bridge, grooming themselves and going about their monkey business. But on this day they were caught off guard by the lion pride.
“…A troop of baboons was soaking up the morning sun on the bridge,” Botes told LastSightings.com. “Unfortunately for them, the warm sun was just so good that they lost focus and did not see the lions approaching. I instantly saw what was happening and decided to veer off to the side and watch from down below.”
“The lions strolled onto the bridge with not a care in the world. As for the baboons, it was too late,” Botes continued. “They let out screeches and alarm calls, alerting every mammal and bird in the vicinity. The baboons scrambled, and it was havoc. Unfortunately, surrounded and unable to outrun the lions, the baboons had to think on their feet to survive.”
The group watched as the baboons scrambled to safety. He said, “To our amazement, the baboons dashed under the bridge! Yes, under the bridge.”
The lions also thought the bridge was a nice place to lie down and enjoy the sun and they were also curious as to what was going on beneath them. Several times in the video, the lions are seen peering over the edge at a baboon hanging below.
Even with the Kings (and Queens) of the jungle looking down at them, the baboons behaved cheekily. Botes observed, “Hanging onto the metal bars under the bridge, they knew they were safe. The baboons, feeling confident now that they were out of reach, began taunting the lions. They were literally under the lion’s noses, and the lions could not do a thing.”
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